Artist Michael Radcliffe responds to witnessing a violent assault by leaving pieces of art, with a message of peace, around his estate.
Did it make a difference? Maybe not, judging from his conclusions, maybe not...
“So, what did I learn from this (leaving his art)? If you're not careful, something like this can just re-inforce your worst fears and beliefs about a situation or a group of people. Our media has spent a lot of time demonising kids, but in a situation where funding for youth clubs have been cut to nothing, kids are bored and having options for expressing themselves reduced by the minute.
It's a sad state of affairs that for some, they feel that the only responses open to them are violence and destruction, but it's important not to forget that a lot of good comments were made by many kids, and people did come and sit and just look.
The subject matter of PAX or peace was a deliberate choice, and was a prayer of hope from me. It was helpful to think that in some way I am able to contribute to my environment, and frankly I'd rather they hurled rocks at my artwork instead of cars, windows or people (all of which I have witnessed on occasion). But I shudder to think what will happen when these people grow up and find their options limited further still. This generation is not being looked after properly, and the consequences may well prove disastrous.”
But at least he did something. And who knows what impact this will have down the line. Whereas doing nothing will never change anything.
